If the ruling survives all the legal challenges to come, there are several relatively straightforward items that a Northwestern players' union -- or a potential athletes' union at any university -- could bring to the bargaining table quickly.

The National Labor Relations Act was seen in 1935 as a response both to ongoing labor strife and to the immediate exigencies of the Great Depression. It gave workers the right to organize over their wages, not football players.

College athletics produce millions in revenue for their colleges, but the stars of the game cannot receive compensation commensurate with their contribution to the entertainment they provide. It is a sweet deal for colleges. The Northwestern case, however, has nothing to do with the fairness of NCAA regulations.

Five years ago, Northwestern football and home-field advantage were far from synonymous. Now in 2012, that picture is a faint memory. Visiting fans instantly know that Chicago's Big Ten Team is open for business, with football at the center of its sales pitch.